Prince Harry of the Royal Family Visits Belize in Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee

Preparations are in full swing today as Prince Harry of the Royal Family is expected to arrive in Belize to mark Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Tour.

Prince Harry will certainly be sampling Belizean culture by way of food, drink, and festivities on behalf of his grandmother the Queen, within the 24 hour period he will be in Belize, the small Central American nation.

Prince Harry will not only be doing the stately visits to the Prime Minister of Belize and the Governor General of Belize but he will also get to appreciate the beauty of Belize. He will be attending a public ceremony in the capital city of Belmopan today where he will be witnessing a street named in honor of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. This will be followed by a large public street fair where he is expected to deliver a message from the Queen and a few words of his own.

On Saturday he will be travelling to the OAS Adjacency Zone which borders Guatemala, to visit with children that participated in a cultural program. He will then travel to Xunantunich Maya Ruin where he will be entertained and have a Belize Tourism Experience.

Prince Harry is known to be the fun Prince or the party Prince of the Royal Family. Although he is coming on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. We have yet to see if he will be dancing to Belize music or party in a Belize atmosphere.

Belizeans are waiting to see Prince Harry of the Royal Family in Belize.

Belize Jade Head - The Maya Sun God - Kinich Ahau displayed for one day only at the Musuem of Belize

By: Will Moreno
2/16/2012

On February 15th, 2011, for one day only, The Museum of Belize (NICH) offered the general public a rare glimpse into the past by showcasing a magnificent and unique Maya Artifact that is near and dear to the nation of Belize and its people, the Jade Head of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau.

Unedited for purpose of realism of color and tones
Photos by: Will Moreno

The Belize Maya Jade Head of the Maya Sun God (Kinich Ahau) was removed from the vault and its casing from an undisclosed location to see the light of day once again in Belize. Many proud Belizeans including school children, as well as, cruise tour visitors lined up at the Museum of Belize to share a rare glimpse of this beautiful Maya Jade Head and Jewel of Belize.

It was a truly inspiring and amazing experience to work alongside the Museum of Belize (NICH) as the Jade Head of Kinich Ahau was unveiled to the public. Capturing images of visitors and the beautiful Maya artifact is an experience I will hold near and dear to my heart. Standing there capturing the images had me wondering what if this silent, yet so beautiful Maya Jade Head of Belize could speak. I can just imagine the wonderful stories of the life of the Maya that it would tell!

The famous Maya Jade head was discovered in 1968 by Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum of Canada and several of his Belizean workers that were working at the Maya site of Altun Ha in Belize. The Maya Ruin of Altun Ha is conveniently located 31 miles north of Belize City off the old northern highway.

The Jade Head along with forty other objects were found in a large tomb that was located located just below the stair block on the Temple of The Masonry Altars (Structure B4). The roof of the tomb had already collapsed from the growth of the roots of trees growing at the site and penetrating the tomb. The tomb contained the remains of a elderly adult male, who was likely an important ruler of the famous Maya site during his time.  Although the exact date the Jade Head was carved is unknown the analysis of the cultural remains found in the tomb dates back to somewhere around 600 and 650 A.D.  It is believed that the Maya took months maybe even years to create such a significant jade masterpiece using the primitive carving tools of their time. The Maya Ruler may have commissioned an artist to to produce the Jade Head to commemorate the important events of his life and his time as ruler of the site. The Jade Head may have also been passed down from generation to generation finally ending up in this Maya ruler's tomb due to his importance.

This, not only beautiful, but also remarkable piece of Maya artwork, is significant because its the only one ever found in the Mundo Maya. It was carved from one solid piece of jade which was the most precious of stones to the Maya. According to the studies done on the Jade Head, it is believed that the large piece of jade that was used to carve this Maya masterpiece came from the Motagua River Valley area in Guatemala.

Weighing only 9.75 pounds and measuring 5.86 inches high, the magnificent Maya Jade Head of Kinich Ahau, The Maya Sun God has a marbled effect and resembles that beautiful green hue of the Caribbean Sea that caresses the shores of Belize. This is truly a Jewel of the Mayas and a Jewel of Belize. It is a sight to behold!

For more images of the wonderful experience you can check with the Museum of Belize (NICH) or Will Moreno

Belize is a Bird Watchers and Birding Paradise



Great Heron
Photo by: Will Moreno



Belize is a Bird Watchers and Birding Paradise in Central America and the Caribbean.

Here is a list of some Birding Hot Spots in Belize listed by the Belize Audubon Society.

In speaking to Dirk Francisco of the Belize Audobon Society we found some very interesting facts.

Fact #1 - Once very popular as a household pet in Belize. The Yellow-Headed Amazon Parrot (Amazona Oratrix) is now a critically endangered specie.

Fact #2 - Some new species of birds have found thier way to Belize and two of those confirmed are the Red Head Duck and the Green Wing Teal.

If you would like more information of Birding or Bird Watching in Belize feel free to contact the Belize Audobon Society.

Belize is a very photogenic country

Belize is a very photogenic country. Most photographers that travel to the beautiful country of Belize knows this and normally travel with their cameras very handy.

If you are looking to photograph and capture the wildlife, landscapes, seascapes, people, food among many others you can certainly find it in the small Centeral American nation of Belize.

Team Belize Attending The Central American Female Junior U-18 Volleyball Championship

PRESS RELEASE

August 1^st, 2011

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN FEMALE U-18 VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Belize will be attending the Central American Female Junior (U-18) Volleyball Championship to be held in Costa Rica from this Wednesday, August 3^rd 2011, to August 10^th, 2011.  Belize will be featuring most likely the youngest team with players ranging from 12 to 17 and one player that participated in the last junior championship two years ago.  The Belize Volleyball Association is proud to announce the team members:

Kaitlyn Woods as the Libero

Sherika Burton

Kadijah Broaster

Nandi Sabal

Nayala Tun

Leandra Betson

Xiomara Quan

Alina Scott

Briany Staine

Kevanna Sebastian

Jahshema Sauders

Analisa Habet as the Captain

The coaching staff is headed by Ms. Lupita Quan and assisted by Ms. Sherlene Johnson.  The team manager is Ms. Rosanni Pariente and Mr. Ken Vasquez is the physiotherapist.

The BVA is grateful to its sponsors in providing the training requirements, uniforms, and travel for the team.  We wish Team Belize a very successful tournament and look forward to the good results.

Belize Volleyball Association

P.O. Box 1839, 1 Hyde’s Lane,

Belize City, Belize

Tel: (501) 223-1725/02   Fax: (501) 223-0738/3533

Email: BelizeVB@yahoo.com

Website: www.belizevolleyball.org

Belize Hosted the 2011 Central American Beach Volleyball Championships

It was that time of year again when Central American countries sent their male and female beach volleyball teams to represent their pride and glory. The Belize Volleyball Association was host this past weekend to this years XI Central American Beach Volleyball Championships.

The venue for this years beach volleyball event was the Marion Jones Sporting Complex with 2 brand new beach volleyball courts. The sun was out the sand was ready as the beach volleyball fans were in attendance to support their teams.

The teams that were known as a dominant force going into this years volleyball competition in the female division was El Salvador and Guatemala and in the male division was Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

The beach volleyball teams were fully prepared to take on the task of representing their home countries which included Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Beach Volleyball excitement began on Friday the 22nd of July and continued through Sunday the 24th with teams battling for this years Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. The fans roared as the players concentrated on every service, reception, set, spike, block and dig. There were some real nailbiting games where teams rallied back and forth set after set.

In the end there could only be one one team victorious for the gold, silver and bronze in both the mens and womens beach volleyball divisions.

For more photos of the 2011 Central American Beach Volleyball Championships you may visit the facebook page of the photographer, Will Moreno.

Final Results of the Central American Beach Volleyball Championships!

Mens Division:
Costa Rica - Gold Medal, Gatemala - Silver Medal, Nicaragua 1 - Bronze Medal.

Female Division:
Costa Rica - Gold Medal, Guatemala 1 - Silver Medal, Guatemala 2 - Bronze Medal.

The Teams and Players for the 2011 Central American Beach Volleyball Championships

Male Division:
Belize 1 - Arvid Arnold and Ernest Broaster
Belize 2 - Tico Requena and Juan Marin

Guatemala - Andy Leonardo Blanco and Erick Garrido Ruiz

El Salvador 1 - Jeovanny Medrano Valle and David Vargas Correa
El Slavador 2 - Carlos Leiva Mata and Carlos Escobar Talavera

Nicaragua 1 - Gerald Lopez Umana and Danny Alvarado Lopez
Nicaragua 2 - Winston Calderon Urbina and Francisco Castro

Honduras - Walter Montoya Sanchez and Ruben Miller
Costa Rica - Esteban Escobar and Bryan Monge
Female Division:
Belize 1 - Barbara Cadle and Jasmine Anderson
Belize 2  - Emma Hoare and Rebecca Rath

Guatemala 1 - Susana Gomez Alvarado and Anna Lourdes Ramirez Sarti
Guatemala 2 - Maria Jose Arrelana Aragon and Ruth Guzman Gomez

El Salvador 1 - Diana Romero De Leiva and Marcela Avalos Pineda
El Salvador 2 - Kathya Vasquez Menjivar and Ma Fenanda Vargas Claros

Costa Rica - Ingrid Morales Munoz and Natalia Alfaro Paniagua

Belize Tourism Board launches new culinary website

Jun 23, 2011
Belize City, Belize

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) announces a new interactive culinary website geared towards providing travelers with a comprehensive guide on Belize's unique cuisine and restaurants located throughout the country. Cleverly named SavorBelize, this website unveils a treasure of tastes, events, traditions and specialty styles dictated by Belize's more than 10 diverse cultures, including Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, East Indian, Maya and more. Totaling the size of Massachusetts, Belize is the only Central American country to house so many cultures within mere hours of each other, allowing tourists to experience the distinct richness of various communities through authentic fare.

"From foodie fanatics to leisure travelers, authentic food is simply another way that people like to travel. They like to try unique, local meals, and experience culture through indigenous cuisine," said Seleni Matus, director of tourism for the BTB. "Many tourists don't know where to eat or what dishes to try while traveling in Belize, so we created SavorBelize to be their go-to resource."

SavorBelize is accessible through Belize's official travel website, TravelBelize.org, and features information on any and everything related to Belizean cuisine. Highlights include restaurant listings for the entire country; blog reviews of restaurants by international culinary writers; photos and more. And as SavorBelize is designed to be a tourist-oriented interactive website, travelers can post their own photos, videos and reviews of their culinary adventures online. To be unveiled in late 2011, an interactive map will allow travelers to research restaurants in their vacationing area and map out their culinary route in advance of their trip.

People who have not yet visited the country can bring a piece of Belize into their own kitchen, as local chefs have come together to share their food and drink recipes on SavorBelize. And for those intrigued by the "farm to table" concept, or simply seeking a behind-the-scenes peek at Belize's unique culinary offerings, SavorBelize provides an overview of various food tours offered throughout the country, including chocolate-making tours, trips to the Belikin Beer factory (Belize's official beer) and Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce factory, to name a few.

Real Estate Hot Spot in Central America and the Caribbean

There is a small Central American Nation that has a lot in common with the Caribbean, and is certainly a new hot spot. It has certainly been making headlines around the world in travel articles. So many people from all over the world primarily Canada, United States, Europe and the UK are choosing to purchase a retirement home, second home or invest in property in this small nation.

One of the reasons so many choose this country is because it's the only English speaking Central American country, which makes communicating with the locals easy and also facilitates your move. If you are wondering which country we are talking about you have to wait no longer. This country with so much beauty packed within its borders is most certainly, Belize.

Belize offers a diverse landscape. If you are looking for beachfront properties, private islands, farm lands or a secluded jungle home in the rainforests or mountains, look no further than Belize. You can choose to live in the city or in the rural areas. You will find that the real estate prices vary depending on the area that you choose. You will find that the prices in Belize City, Consejo Shores, San Pedro - Ambergris Caye and Placencia are generally higher than those in the rural areas of Belize.

The world's economy has certainly affected Belize, and since the start of the economic downturn, Belize has seen  as much as 30-35% depreciation in real estate values in some areas. This makes Belize the real hot spot of Central America and the Caribbean when it comes to purchasing real estate. It has become a real buyer's market with prices certainly being negotiable. We have seen rare discounts by as much as 50% on some land and homes. Comparing Belize's prices to that of the United States or Europe, Belize prices are still relatively low. Therefore, Belize is an excellent location for investment.

The Government of Belize as Well as the Belize Tourism Board has been promoting Belize, not only as a vacation destination, but offering Belize as Retirement Destination for expats to purchase a primary residence, second home or vacation home. For those that will be retiring in Belize, they can certainly take advantage of the Qualified Retirement Programme (QRP Program) which offers tax benefits to retirees.

If you are considering making the move to Belize or investing in real estate in this small Central American and Caribbean nation be sure to do all the necessary research or talk to a Belize Relocation Consultant about areas that would be most desirable to you.

Sharks in the sunshine in Belize

Jeffrey Simpson

The Toronto Star

Published On Wed May 18 2011



Dimas Mejia feeds fish heads to some sharks
while leading tourists on a snorkeling expedition to Shark-Ray Alley
off Ambergris Caye in Belize. - Jeffrey Simpson/for the toronto star



SAN PEDRO, BELIZE—I’m standing on the edge of a boat peering uneasily into an ocean that’s swirling with sharks, mentally preparing myself to jump overboard.

Dimas Mejia, who’s leading this excursion to the appropriately named Shark-Ray Alley, is attempting to reassure his uncertain passengers this is a perfectly safe spot for snorkelling.

“It’s all right,” Mejia, 23, says. “I carry a life-ring with me.”

But drowning is the least of my worries as I watch five sharks that are about my size going after the fish-heads he’s tossing into the waves. Fortunately these are nurse sharks; despite their disconcerting resemblance to Jaws they’re usually harmless to humans.

“Just don’t stick your hand in their mouths because they’ll suck it right in,” Mejia says.

With that in mind I pull on flippers, grab a face-mask and plunge into the impossibly turquoise waters of the Caribbean, trying all the while to keep my hands as close as possible to myself.

Travelling a bit farther south than Mexico’s Mayan Riveria brings you to this sun-splashed holiday haven in Belize. I’m staying in the town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, a 40-kilometre-long island 45 minutes by water taxi from Belize City on the mainland. The narrow spit of land is an idyllic tropical paradise, with a sandy white beach stretching along a coast studded with palm trees.

It may be part of Central America, but the vibe is classic Caribbean with Jimmy Buffet and reggae music drifting on the tropical breeze from the pastel-coloured beachfront bars.

Ambergris is developed to a certain extent, but its hotels are small and the attitude is laid-back. Shoes and shirts are optional. Most people get around using golf carts or bicycles and there’s only one paved road. There are the creature comforts a vacationer might crave, without the raucous crowds of Cancun.

Canadians will feel right at home in the former British colony — and not just because there’s a bar called Crazy Canucks. English is the official language and the Queen even adorns the Belizean dollar.

The country’s main attraction is just offshore — the stellar snorkelling and scuba diving around Belize’s barrier reef, which at 300 kilometres in length is the second largest in the world after Australia’s. The coral reef system is home to a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals that lurk in the underwater caves and among the atolls.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, of which Shark-Ray Alley is a part, is about a 20-minute boat ride away.

I flutter along near the surface looking down at underwater canyons that run to a depth of 25 metres. The water is so clear the sun shines through unimpeded, allowing for fantastic views of schools of iridescent tropical fish that dart here and there.

A stingray gently flaps its broad wings on one side of me while a green turtle paddles along on the other.

Mejia dives deeper to point out creatures of interest along the seabed, such as a moray eel that pokes its head indignantly out of a crevice in the rocks, chomping on one of his flippers.

“They can bite your hand off,” he tells me later, showing me a scar where one had apparently tried.

There are stunningly beautiful creatures such as the pinkish-hued hogfish. Then there are astonishingly odd-looking ones such as the porcupine puffer fish, which inflates to twice its size like a beachball studded with spikes.

The reef runs about a kilometre from the coast of Ambergris and blocks the heavier surf from striking the caye. The water inside the reef is shallow and calm, allowing for that beautiful bluish-green tint that puts you at ease while sipping a pina colada on shore, smugly thinking about the North American winter you’re missing.

That’s exactly what Ken Timmons has in mind as he takes a break from blustery Chicago
.
“I didn’t know where Belize was,” admits Timmons, 52, while recounting how a former colleague had piqued his interest in the country.

But he found it had an inviting atmosphere that offered something different than other better-known vacation spots.

“It’s a little more laid back maybe than Mexico,” he says. “Kind of a less touristy place to come than Cancun. It’s still got a little bit of a local flavour that’s not ruined by cruise ships.”

Asked how he’s spending his time on the caye, he glances at his girlfriend Donna Engelhard and grins.

“I’m not sure your readers really want to know that,” he says, breaking into laughter before quickly adding, “Actually we’ve been bike-riding a lot.”

Ambergris does provide a perfect backdrop for romance. After a beautiful Caribbean sunset, the soft lights flicker on at restaurant patios, providing al fresco dining to the sound of waves lapping the nearby shore and the wind caressing the palm trees.

Naturally, the specialty is seafood and one of the best places is a slightly upscale yet relaxed restaurant called Mango’s, where a mouth-watering starter of coconut shrimp has me wanting to order it again for my main.

There’s also a lot of good eating available on a smaller budget, from simple taco shacks to papusa joints offering the Salvadoran dish of corn tortillas filled with cheese, beans, chicken or seafood topped with salsa and slaw. They’re best washed down with the local Belikan beer. For further drinking, San Pedro’s nightlife booms until dawn, attracting locals, ex-pats and tourists.

No need to worry about sleeping, since there will be ample time to doze under the sun during lazy afternoons. And there’s no better feeling than waking up to another day in paradise.

Jeffrey Simpson is a Canadian journalist who lives in London, England

Road Trip On The Hummingbird Highway in Belize

A drive along the Hummingbird Highway gives visitors a great taste of Belize. Holly Firfer reports for CNN.

LMU students spend Spring Break in Belize

LMU students spend Spring Break in Belize
The Middlesboro Daily News

The Lincoln Memorial University ART/BIO 395 class is pictured with the Standard 1 class at San Miguel, Toledo District school in Belize. Pictured above in the back row from left are LMU students Kelly Scharffbillig, Sonia Sayani, Biology Instructor Jessica Evans, Assistant Professor of Art Elissa Graff, LMU students Rhoni Daikoff, Abby Amix, Whitney Gibson, Natalie Campbell, chaperone Micah Davis, LMU student Brandon Cross and Apolinaro Ical, first year teacher of Standard 1 class, San Miguel Toledo District.

HARROGATE, Tenn. — While Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) was on spring break last month, seven students accompanied by two faculty members and a graduate chaperone spent a week in the Central American nation of Belize. The students, enrolled in LMU's interdisciplinary ART/BIO 395 class, participated in the field experience service learning component of teaching lessons prepared by students Whitney Gibson and Kelly Scharffbillig. The entire group taught the lessons to elementary and middle school students in San Miguel, Toledo District of Belize.

Reese Witherspoon, Jim Toth Enjoy "Happy" Family Honeymoon in Belize

Reese Witherspoon, Jim Toth Enjoy "Happy" Family Honeymoon in Belize
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Wireimage.com
Saturday – April 09, 2011 – 2:05pm



Less than two weeks after tying the knot, newlyweds Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth touched down in Belize for a romantic six-day honeymoon stay.

"They didn't ask for any VIP treatment, walked off the plane like regular tourists, waited in the immigration line and waited to get their bags from the baggage carousel," an eyewitness tells UsMagazine.com of the pair, who brought Witherspoon's two kids, Ava, 11, and Deacon, 7, along for the tropical getaway.

Witherspoon, 35, clad in a white T-shirt, jeans and a brown hat, went nearly unrecognized when the couple touched down in the Central American country April 4.

Adds the witness of the foursome, who browsed gift shops and visited other tourist attractions: "They definitely looked like a happy family. The kids seemed like they had no problem with him around."

Sources close to the newlyweds -- who swapped vows March 26 at Witherspoon's 6-acre Ojai, Calif. ranch -- tell Us they're the perfect match. Says one pal of Toth, 40: "He's a very confident guy who takes care of her."
"Reese really wants to be married and have that security with someone," another insider says. "They feel like they've hit the jackpot in this relationship!"

Belize a Wonderful Second Home Destination for Cold Winter Months

If this is what you are looking for in a winter destination,?
You will not find this in Belize.

Every year many people run away from the harsh winters around the world and flock to the wonderful Central American nation of Belize. Belize has much in common with the Caribbean and its borders with other Central American nations offers much more than an island or mainland attraction alone. 

During the cold winter months in other parts of the world, Belize remains a true natural beauty with almost near perfect weather. Belize is one of those places where the warm sunshine kisses the skin and the cool azure waters caress the senses.

Belize is approximately 174 miles from North to South and 68 miles from East to West with a population just over 300,000. This makes it one of the countries with the lowest population density in the Caribbean and Central America. So much is packed into the borders of the wonderful and truly beautiful nation of Belize. We will take you through a journey of activities that are available to you in Belize during the winter seasons. We will not be telling you about Alpine skiing, snow tubing, snow sledding, snowboarding, ice skating or even the dreaded building a snowman that makes the fingers go numb, Brrrrrrrr. We will, however, be telling you about the tropical activities that keeps you warm and away from the cold. So much so, that you might want to consider Belize your Home away from Home.
 

Snorkeling in Belize

One of the most favorite and popular destinations for Snorkeling and Diving in Belize is the largest living Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere. If you are flying over the Barrier Reef on your way to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker you will see that on the inner side of the reef the waters are shallow and has some wonderfully light shades of blue to aquamarine while on the other side of the reef the waters are deep and has a royal blue color.  The reef is just more than a decorative piece to Belize. It is an important eco-system that protects the shores from erosion while offering the ability for us to learn more about the many fish and the corals that make up the very fragile system. Year round many come to snorkel and dive at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve which is one of Belize's oldest marine reserves and has four unique zones and eco-systems for people to appreciate. You can even swim with and feed the sharks at Shark Ray Alley. 

Scuba Diving in Belize

 

Belize Blue Hole

Belize offers an excellent location to all Scuba Divers from the beginner to the fully experienced with shore diving to the deep Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole that is approximately 984 ft across and about 407 ft deep, a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System and is a World Heritage Site. This site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau who declared it one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Unfortunately once you have experienced the visibility of the waters in Belize sometimes up to 100 feet you will be so spoilt that you will want to come back to Belize for all your diving trips. We are sure Scuba Diving and Snorkeling the warm Caribbean waters of Belize trumps being chilled by the winter weather.

Fishing in Belize

 Another popular activity in Belize is Fishing. No matter what type of fishing you enjoy, Belize will be sure to top your list as one of the best destinations for saltwater spincasting, light tackle, fly fishing, flats fishing or deep sea fishing. Just be sure to use one of the local and certified fishing guides to show you where the best spots in Belize are. Some of the most popular fishes during the month of December are: Barracuda, Bonefish, Jacks, King Mackerel, Permit, Tarpon, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin.

Some other water activities include sailing, sea-kayaking, wind-surfing, para-sailing among many others.

Belize has a lush tropical rainforest theming with a vast array of flora and fauna and a flurry activities away from the harsh winter storms. Belize is proud to be one of the few countries that has 80% of its forests under protection for reserves. This setting surely makes it an ideal location for a wonderful Belize Jungle Adventure. Many come here to look at nature either bird watching or canoeing along the winding rivers, most notably the Belize River which has played an important part in Belize's history. You will surely be in awe looking at the forest canopy and the wildlife within them.  Others come to be be a part of nature making trails and enjoying every inch of it. If you are truly looking to immerse yourself in nature you can take a trip to go to the Caves Branch Archeological Reseve to go Zip lining though the jungle canopy or cave tubing the meandering river through natural cave formations or if you are looking for a revved up time you can check into the rainforest ATV tours.
 

Zip Lining in Belize



Cave Tubing in Belize



ATV Jungle Tour

If you are looking to learn about the animals of Belize or why it is so important to protect the habitats that sustains them you can visit The Belize Zoo. The Belize Zoo is located at mile 29 on the Western Highway and sits on approximately 29 acres with approximately 125 animal exhibits.

The most visually striking area of Belize happens to be the hilly region around the Maya Moutains which runs from the Cayo District all the way south to the Toledo District of Belize. The hills offer an excellent opportunity for those looking either for a beginner to expert mountain biking experience or a wondeful jungle horse back ride or a slow trail ride through nature's best kept secret. You can slow things down a bit and  begin your journey through time and learn about the ancient Maya Civilizations as you enter the Belize Caves System with magnificent caverns and chambers or visit the ancient Maya Ruins. Some of the most popular and intriguing site are: Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, Caracol, Cerros, El Pilar, Lamanai, Lubaantun, Nim Li Punit, Santa Rita, Uxbenka, and Xunantunich among others. 

Belize Maya Mountains



Xunantunich Maya Ruin in Cayo District of Belize

Belize is a land of pristine beauty and it's natural waterfalls are world famous. The most famous in Belize is Hidden Valley Falls also referred to as "Thousand Foot Falls" which falls from a height of 1,600 ft making it the highest waterfall in Central America. There is a lookout point that is a couple hundred yards away where you can marvel at this wonderful creation and hear the thunderous roar of mother nature. There is a trail that goes to the base where one can immerse themselves in the pools below. You can also visit some of the other great waterfall locations like Big Rock Falls, Five Sister Falls and Rio Blanco Falls. A favorite swimming spot for many tourists and locals alike is the Rio On Pools on the road to Caracol in the Cayo District. You can also visit the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm in the Cayo District. There are also a few others you can visit around the nation of Belize.

Hidden Valley Falls - Mountain Pine Ridge



Five Sister Falls - Mountain Pine Ridge

Rio On Pools - Mountain Pine Ridge

Golfing in Belize is just catching on. With beautiful weather and a vast array of landscapes you would think there would be more courses. Maybe we should invite Jack Nicklause, Tiger Woods, Jiyai Shin, Sergio Garcia, Christi Kerr, Lee Trevino, Ai Miyazato, Geoff Ogilvy, Lorena Ocoa, Rory Sabbatini, Suzann Petterson, Matt Kucher, and Sean O'Hair among other top golfers to come to Belize to develop more top rated golf courses around the country. At the moment you have 2 golf courses to choose from the first situated on the mainland at mile 50 just past the capital City of Belmopan and Guanacaste National Park. Roaring River Golf Course is a 9 hole executive-style golf course. A par 64 course that measures a total distance of 3,892 yards. The course has double tees that measure 1,933 yards on the frontline and 1,959 yards on the backline. The fairways are lined with indigenous trees and natural jungle growth offers small jungle trails with iguanas and various species of tropical birds when not golfing. If you are a serious golfer or just looking for a round of golf with your friends complete with clubhouse and refreshments then this is the course you want to visit.

Roaring River Golf Course

If you are looking to golf on an island surrounded by the spectacular waters of the Caribbean with views of the Barrier Reef then you might want to visit Caye Chapel Golf Resort. Located just 12 miles off the coast of Belize City and a couple hours away from the US, this resort has been seeing its share of famous golfers to include Tiger Woods. This golf resort is the only one of its kind in Belize and can boast the only Par 72, 18 Hole Championship Golf Course with four Par 5 Holes measuring a total of more than 7,000 yards. Caye Chapel Golf Resort offers a deep water marina that can accomodate 140 foot yachts and a private airstrip for even the most discerning of guests. A 25,000 square foot Clubhouse with 5,000 square feet of verandahs perched from heights of over 60 feet, located between the back and front nine of the spectacular golf couse, with restaurant, bar, fitness center and conference facility is surely an added bonus to this already luxuriuous golf resort. Golf at Caye Chapel Golf Resort is golf at its finest without tee-times, round timing or round limits. There are certain dates that the island is closed to the public due to large weddings, corporate events and celebrity visits.

Caye Chapel Golf Course

Are you now convinced that BELIZE is the place to be during those cold winter months?
Are you looking for a Second Home or a Retirement Home in Belize?
Make sure to contact Platinum International Real Estate and Invesments for all your Belize Real Estate Needs.

International: 011-501-664-1630

http://www.platinumrealestate.biz/